Aphasia as the presenting symptom of a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Case report

Abstract

Neurological manifestations such as seizures, disorders of consciousness and abnormal movements such as hemichorea and hemiballismus can be the presenting symptoms of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar states. Exceptionally, focal signs as hemiparesis or aphasia are described. We report a 66-year-old man, presenting with nonfluent aphasia and right subtle hemiparesis. The computed tomography, computed tomography angiography and brain magnetic resonance did not show acute ischemic lesions or obstruction of arterial vessels. The initial laboratory evaluation disclosed a blood glucose of 936 mg/dL, a plasma osmolality of 331 mOsm/Kg, and positive plasma ketones. After the treatment of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolality, focal symptoms subsided.